A Work In Progress

Writers: Devin, Bree
Date Posted: 29th December 2006

Characters: K'mai, Abrei, Dikero
Description: K'mai tries to help Abrei find herself a fun man, but ends up helping himself more.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 1, day 14 of Turn 4

K'mai

Abrei

Abrei couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this light hearted.
Sitting next to K'mai in the dining cavern, she had her chin propped up on her hand and was scanning the men present carefully. "What I don't understand is how you're supposed to be able to figure out if they're fun or not just by looking at them. Or is that something you can't do?"

"You can get an idea. See that guy over there, hunched over his food and frowning?" K'mai pointed. "Probably not fun. Or at least having a bad day, which is about the same for our purposes here. Now, that guy," he pointed again. "Looks like a much better prospect: laughing, talking and mmm . . . nice shoulders."

"Most dragonriders have nice shoulders," she replied absently. Sometimes she wondered if that was why she chose them... a nice set of shoulders did wonders for a man. "He doesn't look very tall, though. I bet I'm taller than he is."

"Picky, picky," K'mai scolded. "I was using him as an example. How about you pick someone out?"

"Fine." Abrei let her eyes drift over the crowd again. "How about that one over there?"

"Um, well . . ." He chewed his lip. "You might want to pick someone that looks a little less moody." The man she'd chosen looked more inclined to punch someone than flirt.

Abrei echoed his gesture, chewing on her own lower lip in thought. "Hmmm..." She tried to find someone who looked a little more cheerful. "What about that one?" she asked, pointing out a tall man with dark hair. "He's got healer's knots, but I don't recognize him... he must be really new." And she supposed that now that she wasn't the Weyrhealer, she didn't have to worry about complicating things by getting involved with Healers.

K'mai smiled. "Tall, dark and handsome. Nice one, Abrei! Let's go over and introduce ourselves."

The healer greeted them cheerfully enough, moving his tray aside to make room. "Pretty lady with Master Healer knots... I haven't made the redoubtable Master Abrei angry already, have I? And if so, I hope your handsome friend is here to protect me."

"I promise not to let her hurt you," K'mai said. "Unless of course, you want her to."

Abrei glared at K'mai, which made the healer laugh. "Might be worth it, but I think you're the one in danger at the moment. Let me see if I can distract her." Extending a hand in Abrei's direction, he smiled. "I'm Dikero. I arrived a few days ago."

Still looking slightly suspicious of the interaction between the two men, Abrei held out her hand and let Dikero clasp it. "Well, I'm Abrei. Which you apparently know."

"I'm K'mai, rider of blue Sebeth," K'mai said as he offered his own hand. "Welcome to River Bluff."

Dikero accepted K'mai's hand with another smile. "I can't tell you how glad I am to be back in the nice, friendly Weyr. I think I took leave of my senses, thinking I was cut out for Hold life."

"Too dull?" K'mai asked with a slightly raised eyebrow.

"Among other things," Dikero drawled, pulling the pitcher of juice closer to refill his mug. "So what makes me the lucky recipient of such a friendly welcome?"

Abrei tilted her head in K'mai's direction. "He thought you looked fun."

"And I'm starting to think I was right." The bluerider was getting the feeling Dikero was potentially fun for him as well as Abrei.

Dikero shifted his eyes from the healer to the bluerider. "You thought I looked fun, hmmm?" Shards, he _loved_ being back at the Weyr! "Well, I suppose that depends on what sort of fun you're looking for." He winked at K'mai before giving Abrei a grin. "And which one of you is looking. I can't possibly be lucky enough for it to be both of you."

"Both--" Abrei's eyes went a little wide.

"I don't believe our dear healer is quite ready for that much fun," K'mai grinned. "But I certainly wouldn't object."

Abrei shot K'mai a glare. "Of _course_ you wouldn't," she replied, her voice dripping sarcasm. She poked her finger in the direct center of K'mai's chest. "Tell me the truth, bluerider... did you set this up?"

"Set this up?" he chuckled. "No. But it is a good idea."

Dikero reached over to claim Abrei's hand before she could poke K'mai a second time. With his most mischievous grin, he turned her hand over and laid a lingering kiss on her wrist. "You, my lady healer, are quite a temptation. But I've been exiled to the Holds for far too long, and have missed the company of men." His eyes fell on K'mai and the glint turned a little warmer. "Friendly men, I mean."

K'mai's grin was wide. "Looks like my lucky day." He turned toward Abrei. "Sorry, Abrei. He's too tempting to turn down."

"Oh, have a _wonderful_ time," Abrei replied grumpily. "See if I ever try this with _you_ again!"

Dikero was still holding her hand, and he smiled. "Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

Abrei did not dignify the request with a response, jerking her hand away and retreating with the tattered remains of her pride. "Not very adventurous, is she?" Dikero asked, grinning at K'mai.

K'mai grinned back. "She's a work in progress."

"Well, her loss is my gain." Dikero tilted his head towards the exit. "What do you say, bluerider? Want to go reintroduce me to weyrlife?"

"With pleasure."

Last updated on the December 31st 2006

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